5 Sutherland Street

Architectural Description: 

Colonial Revival - Shingle style

Historical Narrative: 

Shawsheen Village was named after the Native American name for the river Shawshin, which means Great Spring. Prior to Shawsheen Village this area was known as Frye Village. All the streets in the new Village were named for Castles & Cathedrals in Great Britain Sutherland Street takes it name from the historic seat of the Earls of Sutherland, Dunrobin Castle, a mile to the north of Golspie, Scotland. The current castle was developed out of an old stronghold that was remodeled in modern times by Robert Lorimer.

This house is in the Shawsheen Village National Register Historic District, surveyed in 1977 and created in 1979. It was designated a National Register Historic District in 1980 by the Massachusetts Historical Commission, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

This home was built as part of the Shawsheen Village development from 1918-1924 by William M. Wood, President of the American Woolen Company. Wood hired about eight different architects to design the homes and structures for the village. Homes were leased through the Homestead Association who had offices in the Post Office building on the corner of North Main & Poor Streets, later moved into the Administration Building.

Each home incorporates a different look, style and design modifications, most noticeable with the front door entrances. Decorative details on the corner boards and a variety of ornamental trellises, window boxes all added the “icing on the cake, of the original designs. Most of the homes now sport a variety of different colors, no longer all white with green shutters as dictated in the original deeds. Many of the
original screen porches have been enclosed for an additional room.

After the death of William M. Wood on Feb. 2, 1926 most of the residential and commercial buildings were then sold. Some were held by the Wood family in the "Arden Trust" and others with the American Woolen Company, which had been deeded the property in December 1920. The A.W.Co. Board of Directors authorized its President, Lionel J. Noah, to deliver all deeds, as deemed necessary to the Textile Realty Co. for sale on Dec. 29, 1931.

The Textile Realty then transferred ownership to the Andover Shawsheen Realty Company on June 30, 1932, holding the mortgage on the properties. T. Edwin Andrew, treasurer, was authorized to sell or lease the properties. With the Great Depression sales were sluggish and many homes were rented until the economy rebounded.

The 1922 Map of Shawsheen Village marks this lot #5 and #7 as Hardy the architect. The twin to this home is located at 4 Dumbarton St. and attributed to Chester A. Patten. More research may reveal the designer.

One of the first occupants of record to lease the home in 1923 were Frederick H. & Mae W. Morrison. Frederick is listed as a secretary, for the American Woolen Co.

This house was sold to Francis R. & Virginia Morgan on June 17, 1937. Francis R. Morgan b. 1899 was a Civil Engineer. Virginia Morgan b. 1908 a housewife. Both were active members of the West Parish Church. After the death of Ernest Ginny remarried to become Virginia M. Hatton. She sold the home to Peter C. & Kristian V. Nordblom Aug. 31, 1984. The Morgan had owned for 47 years.

Bibliography/References: 

Essex County Registry Deeds, Salem, MA
Essex Northern Registry Deeds, Lawrence, MA
Andover Maps, 1852, 1872, 1888, 1906, 1926
Andover Street Directories
Andover Townsman
Mills, Mergers and Mansions, by Edward Roddy 1982
See Map plan #704 - American Woolen Company - Sept. 1927
#708 - Nov. 1927 - AWCo.
Land Court Map #1726-E - lot

Owners;
Thomas T. Clark, wife Louisa – 1920 – land 4.3 acres
American Woolen Company, Wm. M. Wood Pres. Oct. 2, 1920 – Certificate #992
Textile Realty Co., Lionel J. Noah, Pres. A.W.Co. - Dec. 30, 1931 Ctf - #1925
Andover Shawsheen Realty Co. - June. 30, 1932 Ctf. #1932
Francis R. & Virginia Morgan - June 17, 1937 - Ctf. #2293
Francis R. Morgan estate, Virginia Morgan heir
Peter C. & Kristian V. Nordblom - Aug. 31, 1984 - Ctf. #9515
Brian T. & Jane O'Reilly - Corcoran - Oct. 17, 1990 - Ctf. #11016
Richard J. & Laura L. Devaney - Aug. 31, 1995 - Ctf. #12265
Robert E. & Lisa P. Finneran - May 30, 2003 - Ctf. #14194

Inventory Data:

StreetSutherland St
PlaceShawsheen Village - Frye Village
Historic DistrictShawsheen Village NRH District
Historic NameFrancis R. & Virginia Morgan House
Present Useresidence
Original Useresidence - mill housing
Construction Date1921 - 1922
SourceERDS, ENRDL, assessers' rec./style-njs
Architectural StyleColonial Revival
Architect/BuilderHardy
Foundationstone
Wall/Trimcedar shingle/wood
Roofgable - slate
Conditionexcellent
Acreage0.186 acre
Settingresidential
Map and parcel18-70
Recorded byStack/Mofford, James Batchelder
OrganizationAndover Preservation Commission
Date entered1975 - 1977, 8/26/2015

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